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Landscaping

Jan 29
0

Cheap Landscape Curbing’s Biggest Enemies

By | Curbing, edging, Landscape Curbing, Landscape edging, Landscaping, Lawn Trimming | No Comments

We’ve all been there – its tempting to give into the cheap landscape curbing that’s calling your name. Its all curled up, so nice and tight, sitting on the shelf like a good little piece of coiled black plastic. Especially with it’s darling little price tag hanging from the shelf. It doesn’t want you to know that once you cut those zip ties, it just goes down from there. Once you manage to wrangle it into some sort of manageable form and get it lined up in your yard, there’s no guarantee that it will last. And that cute little price tag becomes a glaring realization that all of those pennies just went down the drain. Especially when it gets near one of it’s biggest enemies like:

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Aug 27
0

How to Make Your Lawn Look Like a Golf Course

By | Landscaping, Lawn Care, Lawn Mowing | No Comments

August is Golf Month, and with good reason: golf is fun, many business deals go down on the golf course, and golf courses are some of the lushest, most beautiful places in the world. We love golf at Olympic Lawn and Landscape, and we figured the best way to celebrate Golf Month is to give you some tips to make your lawn look like a golf course. Here they are:Your lawn can look just like a golf course with special care and the right tools.

Choose the Right Grass

Zoysiagrass or Bermudagrass are perfect for home lawns. They can withstand hot summer temperatures and also tolerate cold in the winter — which is perfect for our four seasons.

The Right Tools for the Job

A reel mower is the best type of mower for golf course quality turf. Reel mowers use reels and bed-knives to cut grass like a pair of scissors, unlike a rotary blade that cuts grass like a fan blade. Furthermore, installing a landscape weed barrier can keep unwanted vegetation from impeding on your beautiful grass.

The Biggest Mistake Is Cutting too Short

Keeping your lawn cut to 1 to 2 inches keeps the turf healthy and full. Don’t remove more than a third of the blades of grass when you mow. That way you aren’t taking too much of the leaf tissue off. Mowing your lawn at least once a week during the growing season ensures that you don’t kill the grass.

Too Much Water Is Bad for Your Lawn

Over-watering your lawn is easy to do — especially when you have an irrigation system. Watering deeply and infrequently as opposed to often and lightly is much better for your lawn. With less frequent watering, your grass has to search for water by growing its roots deeper creating a healthy root system.

Making your lawn look like a golf course may be easier than you think. Following the above tips is a great start. For more information on how you can create a lush, green lawn, call Olympic Lawn and Landscape at (816) 875-9296 today.

 

 

Jul 28
0

Low Maintenance Landscaping Tips

By | Garden, Landscaping, Lawn Maintenance | No Comments

For people who love to get out in the yard for a little landscaping therapy, tilling the ground, planting flowers, mowing or even weeding provides a sense of calm for the mind and some physical activity for the body. For those who don’t love yard work, or are too busy or otherwise unable to handle landscape maintenance chores, we’ve put together a list of tips to cut the time and energy you spend working on your lawn and landscaping. (Even those people who love a little yard work can benefit from these.)Mowing or cutting the long grass with a green lawn mower in the

How to Lower Your Lawn Maintenance Time and Energy

Arranging Plants and Other Materials

  • Use an edging material to keep your grass and plants growing where you want them to grow, and not where you don’t.
  • Use paving or stepping stones for walking paths. Your mailman or the pizza delivery guy won’t necessarily take the time and effort to tiptoe through your garden like a ballerina.
  • Add a 2-3″ layer of mulch to control weeds and reduce watering.

Preparing Your Planting Beds

  • Be sure to address any drainage or erosion issues before planting.
  • Remove or kill weeds and grass before you plant.
  • While tilling the soil may not be completely necessary, few plants will grow under compacted soil.

Proper Plant Selection

  • Use plants that grow to the size you want them to at maturation. Doing so will eliminate the need for constant sheering.
  • Consider using trees that don’t drop fruit and also have small leaves so you don’t have to clean up after them all the time.
  • Reduce the number of annual plants needed. By reducing annuals, you eliminate the need for re-planting every year.

Always Be Prepared

The number one tip for reducing landscaping maintenance we can give is to have a plan. Whether your plan is a professional one or something you come up with on your own, you can eliminate redundant work. By setting a proper sequence you’ll avoid problems in the future.

Olympic Lawn and Landscaping is proud to offer quality lawn and landscaping services to the Kansas City area. For more information about reducing the time you spend doing yard work, or for help with a professional plan of action, call us at (816) 875-9296 today.

Apr 27
0

The Right Way to Mow Your Lawn

By | Landscaping, Lawn Care, Lawn Mowing | No Comments

A beautiful lawn never happens by accident. Mowing is one of the most critical factors to having healthy, thriving turf. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t know that there are tried-and-true techniques to lawn mowing that can help make your grass the greenest in your neighborhood. Of course, we recommend that you hire us for all of your mowing and grass maintenance needs. However, if you are determined to do it yourself, here are some useful lawn mowing hints.Young man - only legs to be seen - is mowing the lawn in summer

Mow Frequently

Most people don’t enjoy mowing. In fact, lawn mowing is generally regarded as a disagreeable chore, so why would you want to do it more often? Science has shown that healthier grass can be achieved through more frequent mowing in which no more than one third of the height is trimmed away. This makes it easier for the blades to continue to photosynthesize. Lawn mowing should happen at least once a week and mowing once every four or five days is ideal.

Make a New Pattern

There is no benefit to mowing your turf in the same pattern week after week. The condition of your grass may improve if you try lawn mowing in a different pattern each time. This minimizes soil compaction and ensures that the grass blades don’t get worn out from repetitive mowing.

Let Clippings Lie

Conventional lawn mowing wisdom might suggest bagging those clippings, but think twice before you do so. Clippings actually act like fertilizer when left on the lawn, redistributing essential nutrients. If clumps or rows of clippings appear, use a rake to spread them around.

Sharpening Mower Blades

A sharp blade makes a cleaner, more efficient cut. That’s better for the health of the grass and also makes getting the lawn mowing done much quicker.

Consider Hiring a Professional

Lawn mowing and maintenance truly is an art. If you want the best looking yard in your neighborhood, you might benefit from hiring a professional to do the heavy lifting.

Ready to learn about our expert lawn mowing services? Call (816) 875-9296 or contact an Expert.

Oct 21
0

4 Useful Autumn Landscaping Tips

By | Landscaping | No Comments

Spring and summer aren’t the only seasons for landscaping projects. Fall is a wonderful time for landscaping. Some projects get your yard ready for winter. Others make getting set for spring easier than ever. Either way, you’ll be glad you spent some time getting your landscaping in shape.

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Jan 01
0

The Garden Effect

By | curb appeal, Garden, Garden Effect, Landscape Curbing, Landscaping, Lawn Care, Property values | No Comments

It’s common knowledge that a well-cared for lawn and professional landscaping makes a home look nice, and increases curb appeal. But while tress, flowers and curbing have been an extra touch for homes, not until the 2011 Husqvarna Global Gardening Report were they considered extreme assets when it came to property values.

“The Garden Effect”

Traditionally, homeowners made repairs, improvements and even remodels to raise their home’s property value. But the 2011 Husqvarna Gardening Report points out that there is a “garden effect” happening among homeowners. The Husqvarna group surveyed thousands of homeowners and Realtors from nearly 10 countries and determined that the appearance of the outdoor landscape surrounding a home has a big impact on the property value. According to their 2011 report, well-designed landscaping raised the property value of homes such as single-family dwellings, condos and town homes as much as 18% in the United States. Additionally, for every dollar spent on landscaping, mowing, turf maintenance and other gardening improvements, homeowners received $1.8 return on their investment.

Landscaping is Becoming a Must for Curb Appeal

The “Garden Effect” is changing the game when it comes to property values and landscaping. Instead of it being a luxury or even splurge, landscaping is becoming a must for homeowners who want to see the maximum ROI on their investment and have the maximum property value and curb appeal. Even more, it’s important to have nice, professional landscaping around your home so that it lasts longer and gets the biggest return on your investment.

Homes where owners have chosen to purchase cheap edging materials and planted trees and shrubs in less-than-ideal locations will not see the full $1.8 return on their landscape investment. To get the largest return on landscaping, it must look professional and seamless. Concrete curbing, professionally installed garden areas and fountains and outdoor living spaces must all be installed with precision so that it lasts through the seasonal weather changes and wear.

It’s exciting to think that adorning your yard with landscaping has become not only fun and relaxing, but an asset to your home’s property value.

Stay tuned for our next post on practical ideas for applying the “Garden Effect” to your property.

Jan 01
0

How to Apply the Garden Effect

By | Curbing, edging, Garden Effect, Landscape Curbing, Landscape edging, Landscaping, Lawn Care, Lawn Mowing, Outdoor patio, Property values, Uncategorized, Walkways | No Comments

Our last post talked about the “Garden Effect” and how landscaping can not only increase your home’s curb appeal, but your property values, too. Homeowners who landscaped their yards and took care of their grass experienced up to a $1.8 return on their investments. Don’t miss out on these type of returns. In the current economic climate landscaping your home is more important than ever.

fire-ring-landscape-patio

Create an Outdoor Living Space to Improve your Landscaping

Landscaping Isn’t Optional Anymore

Long gone are the days where landscaping was a hobby, and optional around the house. With the Garden Effect in full swing, realtors and homeowners alike agree that a lawn must be cared for in order for the maximum property value to apply. For those who are trying to increase curb appeal and property values, consider adding professional landscaping to the “to do” list of household tasks to take care of this summer.

Ideas for Increasing your Property Value through Outdoor Landscaping

If you’re looking for a place to start landscaping, here is some advice as professional landscapers:

1. Pick one area and start small.

When you have it in your head that you want to landscape the yard, the task can be overwhelming and daunting, especially if you haven’t done anything and the yard is a “blank slate.” Pick one area, and start there. Improve the area around you porch and front walkway, or choose to get rid of the weeds in the back and install a nice bed for perennial flowers. Whatever you do, take it one step at a time. Contact us if you need help with landscape design ideas!

2. Consider Concrete Curbing

Concrete curbing is the latest landscaping material, and the best product on the market for landscape edging. Concrete curbing not only looks nice, but it lasts for years, especially if it’s resealed. Concrete curbing offers attractive lines and borders around your home, as well as several benefits for your plants such as weed control and soil aeration. Concrete curbing can be designed, shaped and colored to match your home, providing a perfect way to instantly increase the attractiveness of your landscape design.

3. Don’t Neglect your Lawn

Lawn maintenance and mowing is part of landscape and landscape design. Don’t neglect your yard when you’re in the process of improving your curb appeal. Make sure that it is mowed often, and mowed in different directions each time. Also make sure you are aerating and seeding your lawn and applying seasonal treatments so that weeds and grubs steer clear.

4. Consider an Outdoor Living Area

If you’ve ever watched HGTV’s House Hunters, you’ll notice how prospective buyer’s jaw’s drop when they walk onto a gorgeous deck and outdoor patio. Outdoor living spaces are not only great to have for a relaxing evening or backyard party – but they’re also a great way to increase property value and appeal toward your home. Outdoor living areas don’t have to cost a fortune, and there are also options for patio kits that you assemble by yourself.

These are just four easy ways to start increasing your property value through landscaping. Did we miss any? Let us know if you’re had experience with other landscaping ideas that proved a great ROI!

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